Friday business briefs, 3-29-19

Thursday

Energy numbers from three very different sources across the country are surging.

Renewables, natural gas and even nuclear power each received good news in separate reports released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, or EIA.

The federal agency responsible for collecting, analyzing and disseminating energy data on March 14 announced natural gas production in the U.S. reached an all-time high for the second straight year.

The amount of natural gas grew by 10 billion cubic fee per day in 2018, an 11 percent increase from 2017.

For more than 60 years, the U.S. was a net importer of natural gas, but now there is so much gas floating around that companies are exporting it to other countries.

Five days after the natural gas report, the EIA reported electricity generation from renewable energy sources doubled between 2008 and 2018, with solar and wind accounting for 90 percent of the increase.

Solar generation in the U.S. has expanded from 2 million to 96 million megawatt-hours during that 10-year period. But wind made the biggest gains. Installations in places such as the Great Plains and Texas helped generation grow from 55 million MWh to 275 million MWh. The numbers are expected to keep swelling as federal authorities approve more permits for offshore wind farms.

Nuclear power has experienced a decline in numbers, but last week, the EIA reported the industry generated more electricity than ever. Nuclear plants totaled 807.1 million MWh in 2018, slightly more than its previous peak of 807.0 million MWh set in 2010.

Disney theme parks ban smoking

The Happiest Place on Earth is going smoke free.

Disney announced it is eliminating smoking areas at its California and Orlando theme and water parks, as well as at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex and Downtown Disney in California. The prohibition starts May 1.

Smoking areas will be available outside the parks, as well as a resort hotels and Orlando’s Disney Springs. Vaping is also prohibited in the park and only allowed in the designated areas.

The smoking ban was one of several changed announced by Disney. The company said strollers will now be limited to 31 inches wide and 52 inches long and all stroller wagons will be prohibited. Loose or dry ice in coolers will also be banned; guests are advised to use reusable ice packs.

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